Modifications

How is it possible to leave a bike factory stock?  Not for me!

The Trail Tracker begins life as more of a mountain bike, but I'm a beach cruiser kind of guy, so I'm looking for more of an upright, stretched out position.

This photo shows the modified seating position: lowered to the frame and set back as far as possible. The battery has been moved aft to allow for the seat, and to not interfere with the battery cable.

Also note the Shimano 3 speed derailleur, which takes a lot of the work out of going without electric power.

Next mod: new handlebars...

The deed is done

The deed is done.
A new adventure has begun.
Long live FastMikie,
Man of Thought and Action.

The Electric (bike) era has begun.
Delivery in a few days,
after considerable custom modifications...

The photo above is a factory stock bike.

The modifications are needed because
I'm starting with a trail bike and
converting it as much as possible
into a beach cruiser.

To make the seating position as comfortable as possible,
the seat will be lowered to be positioned fully aft of the seat post,
and attached directly on the frame.
The seat itself will need to be modified
and multiple hose clamps used to secure it.
This will be a prototype...
It will certainly be the only one like it in regard to seating.

The handle bar position will be raised and moved aft.

Further upgrades include a Shimano 3-speed d-thingie,
1500 lumen headlight, iPhone holder,
and a monster lock that weighs a ton,
but I don't care because any work I don't want to do
will be done by the 48-volt motor.

The first thing you might notice about the bike
is the big fat tires... seriously fat.
A full 4" wide balloon tire that can be run at low pressures
to make the ride seriously comfortable.

Did I make it clear that I want to be comfortable?

I'm looking forward to long rides on the beach,
at low tide, at sunset.

The range of this beast is around 30 miles, they say,
on level ground with no wind and an average weight rider.
I aim to test that, all along the beach.
You can't get much more level than sea level.

Under-inflated tires and sand surface could
seriously reduce the range, so I might want
a second battery, but not right away.

There will be a bracket for my iPhone,
to display GPS track, speed, weather, etc.
I wonder if the iPhone 5s is fast enough
to record video, track GPS, play iTunes,
and talk on the phone (facetime!), simultaneously.
If not, it's only a matter of time.

There is no app that can connect the phone and the bike
or the battery, yet...

The lights don't work off the battery,
and there's no regenerative braking,
so it's not an integrated device, yet...

The technology seems to be good enough for play...

I take delivery in a few days, maybe a week.

:)

Where I got it:

Pedego
110 West Plaza St.
Solana Beach, CA 92075

Ask for the owner, Art Womack.
Good guy, will treat you right.
760-666-1126

Tell 'em FastMikie sent you...

Say goodbye to my old bike:

New bike: Leaning in this direction

I am currently leaning in the direction of this bad boy: The Pedego Trail Tracker...

Motor Brushless Geared Hub Motor on Rear wheel
Power Rating 600 Watt
Gears & Speeds Single Speed
Batteries Lithium in a Removable Pack
Charger Smart Charger Included
Amps 10 Ah Standard – 480 Watt Hours
Volts 48 Volt
Tires Vee Rubber 26″ x 4.00″
Speed 20 MPH using motor power only
Distance 15 – 30 miles per charge in throttle mode 
                  (depending on rider weight & terrain)
Throttle Type Twist Throttle Variable Speed Control 
Frame Type 6061 Light Weight Aluminum
Handlebars Black 5 inch rise
Braking System Avid BB-7 Front and Rear Disc Brakes
Drive System Rear Hub Motor (Motor is in rear wheel)
Measurements Frame Size 18″
Axle to Axle 50″
Handlebars 27″
Seat Padded Adjustable Seat 
Bicycle Warranty 1 Year
Battery Warranty 3 Year Limited Warranty

I would still need a few add-ons:
Cushier seat.
Cruiser handlebars for more upright seating position.
Security device to lock it up while traveling.
Security device to lock it up in garage.
Electronics (mapping, speed, distance, etc) will be via iPhone 5s.
Lights.
Helmet.
And probably a lot more stuff I'm not thinking about right now...

Wanted: Electric Beach Cruiser Bike

I have held out long enough.  My bike is not coming back.  I need a new bike.  If I take everything I learned with the last one, and design the perfect bike for me at this time, it would be an electric stretch cruiser, something like this, but with electric drive:

The primary purpose of the bike will be short trips in the Del Mar area, and longer cruises on the beach. So I'm going to need some fat tires for the sand.  And I want the most comfortable seating position possible, upright, low seat and relatively high handlebars (not ape-hangers).  And a big fat cushy seat.

Of course it will be outfitted with iPhone mount, running lights, cup holder, etc. I'm kinda interested in those new programmable LED lights for the perimeter of the wheels.  Very clever.

I have looked at, and ridden, the latest electric bikes from Prodeco and Pedego, but the seating position is uncomfortable. Maybe it can be solved with handlebar adjustments, but I would much prefer a lower seating position, and pedals more forward of the seat (not quite recumbent).

Below is the Pedego Trail Tracker.  I like it a LOT because of the monster fat 4"tires (and 24" wheels) that would be great for the sand, and to run at low pressure to make the ride as comfortable as possible, but the seating position is for trail running, and I want total comfort:

The one below is the Pedego Interceptor II.  I like the power and the traditional cruiser frame design. It's another possibility if the handlebars can be raised, but again the seat is too high in relation to the ground, and the pedals not right for electric cruising:

Prodeco's Outlaw has great specs, lots of power, but again needs a more upright seating position:

Is there someone who can build a custom electric beach cruiser in San Diego? 

All suggestions are welcome!

Thank you.

Please contact me at FastMikie@Gmail.com